“PLAYS FOR IRELAND THE ROLE JANE AUSTEN FILLED FOR ENGLAND”

EDGEWORTH, Maria. Tales, and Miscellaneous Pieces. London: Printed for R. Hunter et al., 1825. Fourteen volumes. Small octavo, contemporary full red straight-grain morocco gilt, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, all edges gilt. $2800.

Early edition of Edgeworth’s works, elegantly bound.

Maria Edgeworth "plays for Ireland the role Jane Austen filled for England. Perhaps the first sympathetic interpreter of national characteristics, her contribution to the Celtic revival is of paramount importance" (Kunitz, British Authors of the 19th Century, 208). Sir Walter Scott "declared (in the last chapter of Waverley, and afterwards in the preface to the collected novels) that that her descriptions of Irish character had encouraged him to make a similar experiment upon Scottish character in the Waverly novels" (DNB). Includes the celebrated novella "Castle Rackrent." CBEL III:367.

An about-fine set, elegantly bound.